Judge Dismisses UFC's Lawsuit in New York

 

Judge Kimba Wood of the United States Court for the Southern District of New York has dismissed a case brought on by Zuffa and other parties making a facial challenge to the constitutionality of New York's ban on professional sanctioned mixed martial arts.  Zuffa and the other parties involved including the named Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones argued that New York's ban on MMA is unconstitutional as there is no rational basis for such a ban.  In addition the parties alleged the law unconstitutional due to its vagueness.  Finally the plaintiffs allege injury in the matter.

The reasoning behind this dismissal and the judge's decision to grant summary judgment to the defendant rides on the plaintiff's standing.  Mainly, according to the Judge, the plaintiffs in the case have none.   Judge Kimbo in his opinion focused on three parties to the case:  Zuffa, LLC (parent company of the UFC); Don Lilly (fight promoter and a fighter manager); and Shanon Miller (fight promoter).  For each of these plaintiffs, the judge looked at the alleged injury caused by the law.  He found no injury to these parties because there is no guarantee that any of these promoters would have actually held events within the state.  

The judge asked the plaintiffs to state actual injuries, which he found none.  Plaintiffs cited theoretical injuries that have been incurred over time, but the judge disregarded these.  This seems like a blow to Zuffa, especially as the company had envisioned an event at Madison Square Garden by the end of the year.  

Although this is definitely a setback for the legalization of mixed martial arts in New York, Zuffa has ramped up its lobbying efforts to repeal the law, bringing superstars like Ronda Rousey to testify in Albany.  Early reports have been rumored to be favorable to this new course of action.  Governor Cuomo has also come out several times in favor of sanctioned professional mixed martial arts citing the lost economic opportunity that the ban creates in the state's coffers.

If you would like to read the full opinion the link is located down below.

http://www.mmamania.com/2015/4/1/8325051/rotten-apple-new-york-judge-dismisses-ufc-lawsuit-sought-to-legalize-mma